sea holly
noun
: a European coastal herb (Eryngium maritimum) of the carrot family with spiny leaves and pale blue flowers
Examples of sea holly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For a cat-proof garden, grow plants with prickly stems and leaves, like squash, globe thistle, and sea holly, or plant strongly scented herbs, such as lemon thyme, Russian sage, rosemary, and rue.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
Like Eupatorium maculatum [spotted joe-pye weed], Asclepias tuberosa [butterfly weed] and species of echinacea [coneflower], aster and eryngium [sea holly].
—John Wogan Carmen Winant, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Nearby stands a vase holding alpine sea holly.
—Jeanine Barone, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
The floral arrangements include white dendrobium orchids, which were part of Queen Elizabeth's wedding bouquet in 1947, and sea holly, which echoes the Duke of Edinburgh's career in the Navy and a lifelong love of the sea.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 29 Mar. 2022
Spiky blue sea holly represented Philip’s naval career and affection for the sea.
—Omid Scobie, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Mar. 2022
The larger floral arrangements will feature red and white roses, carnations, gerbera, eustoma, white chrysanthemums, blue agapanthus, delphinium, and eryngium (sea holly).
—Emily Burack, Town & Country, 28 Mar. 2022
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Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
Like Eupatorium maculatum [spotted joe-pye weed], Asclepias tuberosa [butterfly weed] and species of echinacea [coneflower], aster and eryngium [sea holly].
—John Wogan Carmen Winant, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Nearby stands a vase holding alpine sea holly.
—Jeanine Barone, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
The floral arrangements include white dendrobium orchids, which were part of Queen Elizabeth's wedding bouquet in 1947, and sea holly, which echoes the Duke of Edinburgh's career in the Navy and a lifelong love of the sea.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 29 Mar. 2022
Spiky blue sea holly represented Philip’s naval career and affection for the sea.
—Omid Scobie, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Mar. 2022
The larger floral arrangements will feature red and white roses, carnations, gerbera, eustoma, white chrysanthemums, blue agapanthus, delphinium, and eryngium (sea holly).
—Emily Burack, Town & Country, 28 Mar. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Sea holly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20holly. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sea holly
noun
sea hol·ly
ˈsē-ˌhäl-ē 
: a European coastal herb of the genus Eryngium (E. maritimum) that has spiny leaves and pale blue flowers and was formerly used as an aphrodisiac
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